That's some fast driving in a golf cart. It's 45 min from 466A to Spanish Springs@22 mph

4 years ago when we were looking for rental property, our friends living there advised us to look in what they called the middle earth which is between 466 and 466A which is more central to everything except very far south which has no squares anyway. Above 466 they called the upper earth in the Spanish Springs area and below 466A was referred to as the lower earth being more around the Brownwood area. Now there is a lower, lower earth around Fenny and even a lower, lower, lower earth farther south. This really helped us define the area. We settled on a Patio Villa in Buttonwood, middle earth, and have been very pleased as when not rented we enjoy all TV has to offer. A 15 minute ride to Sumter Sq, around 25 to Spanish Springs and probably about or less the same to Brownwood Sq. I would suggest renting a place for a month, check areas out by car first to get your bearings, then try with the golf cart. Once you get situated, you will determine the area. We have a rental for April in Buttonwood with a 4 seat golf cart with GPS at a reasonable price due to a cancelation from Canadians who cannot get here. Check out property #5034 on VH4R Home Rentals in The Villages Florida The VIllages Rentals and contact me through that site if interested. Good luck to you.

I'd say rent in a couple locations. We bought in Forsyth Villas on the 7th hole of Nancy Lopez with water view. We have four executive courses within 5 minutes by cart. Mulberry Rec with a sport pool are across the street. We also have a Walgreens, Pep Boys, gas, bank and the VA within minutes. We can be out of 'The Bubble' in 30 seconds. The 'Frogs' call this partof TV the 'country'...very quiet and no train noises........

Up north is nice
 

It takes about 20 to 25 minutes from Woodbury to LSL and Spanish Springs. I live up here. But Brownwood is probably an hour or more. I have never gone that far, I would take a car for that trip.

When we first rented and then first purchased we went to the squares quite a bit. But then we found we only went for special events such as a band we like or a particular restaurant. With the pandemic we have not gone at all.

Up here in the north there is less traffic. There are nice rec. centers and pools / pickle ball are not super crowded. Lopez and Glenwood championship golf courses very nearby (both with driving ranges). 4 executive courses also.

Spanish Springs, 15 minutes, Sumter 1/2 hour Brownwood take your car. My brother has a place in Calumet available 2 bedroom, 2 bath. $2800 315278-7016

I'll echo what Garywt said. We are in Briar Meadow - as far north as you can get. It's quiet up here, and much less traffic than in the southern areas. Mature trees and a lack of bugs round out the experience.

While I agree with the draw in Winifred, there can be a lot of traffic as it is a cut-through area for carts. But, the location is certainly more central to the northern area than where we are.

The further south you go, you run into pretty significant mosquitos due to the more prevalent wetlands. If you want gas appliances, many of the central areas north of 44 do not have gas available. If you want a new house, your only option is in the new areas south of 44. Of course, depending on where you go, there is turnpike noise. prison noise, quarry blasting noise. Plus, it will be years before the trees are mature, and there is a major lack of cart-accessible shopping. That will come, but it's taking some time.

In some areas, you will be close to trash dumps and water treatment facilities and that can add interesting aromas depending on the prevailing winds that day.

We looked all over and settled up here in the north. We can make Spanish Springs in 20, Lake Sumter Lansing in 25, and Brownwood in about 55 minutes. If we want to make a quick trip to Brownwood, we jump in the truck, go 42 to 301 and we're there in 20 minutes. In three years here, we've put 15,000 miles combined on our two golf carts, and not counting road trips, less than 15,00 local miles on our truck.

Shop around. Look closely at the different areas. There's no "right" choice as everyone likes different things. But we love it up here on the north end.

I'm in Silver Lake and it's very quiet. Five minutes to Spanish Springs Town Square and about 15 minutes to Lake Sumter Landing.

Hello, and welcome... I live in Pennecamp and it doesn't take me long to get to any of the three squares. Lake Sumter Landing being the closest, then Spanish Springs and Brownwood being the furthest, but not long for either. Enjoy the ride -S

Trolleys
 

I went to the Brownwood sales office the other day for brochures on the trolleys which of course aren't running now and was told they may not be bringing them back at all :(

I am a realtor here and also a Property Manager and I live in Woodbury. It is a little over 20 minutes by Cart to either Spanish or Sumter, Brownwood is 55 minutes. Great area to be out of the confusion and Golf with Nancy Lopez and a number of really good executive courses. A lot of the houses I show and sell up this way are peopl who bought near the Squares and now want to get farther away due to all the activity and crowds especially during the Winter months.

We live in Woodbury and it is mature landscaping, is quiet and very friendly. Takes us 20 min. to Spanish Springs, 25 min. to LSL, and about 55-55 min. to Brownwood.
We love the ride.

My sister and brother-in-law live in Tall Trees. Very close to shopping, back gate, and short distance to Lake Sumter Landing. We have driven to Spanish Springs and Brownwood in the golf cart on our visits there. A friend of their's has a house for sale a few doors down from them. 2255 Welcome Way. It's a very nice 3 bedroom house with many new upgrades.

What you really need with all these suggestions is a map of exactly where is every village. Here's that map.

Location of Every Village Map

Villages locations
 

Virtually all places in The Villages are quiet if you avoid roads, cart paths, and golf course locations near tees and in the range of errant golf balls. But Woodbury is away from everything. Convenience is in the areas like Virginia Trace, Caroline, Sunset Point and nearby locations. But if you are of Baby Boomer age, you may want to look in the Brownwood area and south, especially if you are not in to serious golf. Just my opinion.

Woodbury is perfect to rent not far from Spanish Springs